The film Ne Zha 2 arrives to Hong Kong theatres this week, drawing foreigners to CineArt House in Causeway Bay. The sequel has surpassed Pixar’s Inside Out, earning $6.57 million in box office revenue on its first day of release.

On February 23, China Retold hosted a watch party for Ne Zha 2 at CineArt. Sebastian, one of the attendees, was born and raised in Hong Kong but is originally from the UK. He found the film incomparable to other animations. Although the film is not dubbed in English, he did not face any difficulties understanding the story. “The animation is top-notch,” he said. “The story is written in a way so well that you can just completely understand it.”

Sebastian loves the fighting scenes.

Sebastian was impressed by the detailed and captivating production, especially the fight scenes. “I wonder how they are able to get so much happening at once,” he said. Similarly, Irfan Karabulut from Turkey loved the innovative, action-packed style of the cartoon and even brought his daughter, Selma, to watch it.

“It’s actually not only for kids,” Irfan affirms. “I believe it’s for everyone. It has a wonderful meaning.”

Irfan brings his daughter Selma to watch the film.

The film revisits themes of Buddism and Taoism, and Irfan believes the story reflects our conscience and values in life. “When you fight against bad things, you become stronger. But when you become strong, you never forget about the family,” he says.

Laurent resonates with the message of the production.

Laurent Daury, a French expat in Hong Kong, spots similarities between Chinese and France cultures. He acknowledged the importance of respect and hard work in the Chinese community, but also resonated with the film message of following one’s heart. “This is a French value,” Laurent says.

Legislator Dominic on a mission to show how China really is.

As Chinese films continue to catch up with Hollywood, legislator Dominic Lee believes Ne Zha 2 showcases the progress of Chinese animations. Behind the incredible plot is a team of over 4000 people. To Dominic, this sequel offers foreigners a great opportunity to glimpse what China is about.

Picture credits: Orange News

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